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Tom Powers: Brian Dozier is going to be the next big thing for Twins

Pioneer Press

Posted:
03/06/2012 12:01:00 AM CST

Updated:
03/06/2012 12:13:43 AM CST

Boston Red Sox's Jose Iglesias, left, slides safely into second base as Minnesota Twins shortstop Brian Dozier awaits the throw during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 5, 2012, in Fort Myers, Fla. Iglesias advanced to third on a throwing error to Dozier on the play. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

"Elvis is about the only thing to come out of Tupelo," he said with a smile.

I do love the Van Morrison song, "Tupelo Honey."

"There you go," he said.

Dozier, a shortstop from Tupelo, Miss., is going to be the next big thing for the Twins. The only question is: How soon is next?

The Tsuyoshi Nishioka disaster has sent shockwaves through the Twins organization. After paying big money to sign Nishioka to a three-year contract, the Twins were supposed to be set at one middle infield position for the foreseeable future. Caught flat-footed by Nishioka's absolute unsuitability to play major league baseball, the Twins have had to scramble.

They signed 38-year-old shortstop Jamey Carroll to a two-year deal in the offseason. Alexi Casilla is penciled in at second. Beyond those two there is nothing.

Well, there is Nishioka, who appears to be the lone candidate for the utility infielder role. And he still looks rocky this spring. Even when he makes a play, he does so awkwardly, employing an odd arm angle or faulty footwork that has coaches shaking their heads.

At the moment, there seems to be no alternative. However, Twins fans should take comfort in knowing this dire situation appears temporary. Because Dozier has been advancing through the farm system at breakneck speed.

Dozier has been so impressive that manager Ron Gardenhire lobbied hard to have him promoted to the big club last summer.

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And that was just a couple of weeks after Dozier had been promoted from Single A to Double A.

"I asked for him last year, and it didn't work out," Gardenhire said. "I lost."

It's good that he lost. The kid didn't need to experience any of that garbage going on last summer. Too much whining, too much malingering. Hey, you lock a normal fellow in a room full of wackos and pretty soon he'll be talking to his imaginary friend.

"A lot of people were saying they thought that would be a bad move for us to do that to him," Gardenhire said. "He still has things to learn. I like the way he goes about the game. I like his attitude. I like that he's willing to learn and willing to try things. I think he's a talented kid."

Dozier keeps close watch on Carroll, who has been around the track a few times.

"Jamey Carroll is one of the best, in my opinion," Dozier said. "He does things the right way. I can learn a lot from him, and he's been great."

Dozier, 24, can hit, field and run. His arm is OK, but he's working on arm strength every day by playing long toss. He's working on his base-stealing technique, too. Oh, and he's tough, which is a prized commodity these days. Shortly after getting promoted to Double A, he took a fastball in the kisser.

"Three days after I got called up," he recalled. "A pretty good two-seam fastball in the face. It shattered the sinus bone and cracked the orbital. But they (doctors) told me everything was still lined up. So I was out six or seven days. I had to wear a little flap, but I only missed about a week."

Splitting time between Fort Myers and New Britain last season, he had a combined batting average of .320 with 92 runs scored - most in the entire organization - 33 doubles, 12 triples, nine homers and 24 stolen bases. He made just 13 errors.

"I want to steal more bases," Dozier said. "I'm in the mid-20s and want to get up into the 30s. But my No. 1 priority is always defense."

Right now, the Twins are giving some of their minor league infielders a crash course in versatility. For example, shortstop Pedro Florimon, taken off the waiver wire from the Baltimore Orioles, is being taught the finer points of playing second and third base. The Twins need to develop depth, especially at the middle infield spots. And they need to do it quickly.

Dozier, however, is doing almost all of his work at short. Gardenhire has Paul Molitor working with him for instruction. Dozier will take a few grounders at second, but clearly he is being groomed to take over at shortstop.

In Monday night's 10-2 exhibition loss to the Red Sox, Dozier started and had an uneventful evening. He went 0 for 2 at the plate, although he had a legitimate gripe on that second out. With the bases loaded and two gone in the fourth inning, he bounced one to Kevin Youkilis at third. First base umpire Jeff Kellogg called him out, but it was very close. But the game was dragging so badly that most of us were happy to have the out.

Everyone seems convinced that Dozier is the next big thing. Of course, spring training is all about hope. If you can't get excited over a prospect in spring training, heck, you should be watching a different sport. But in this case, I really do think that "next" is going to be pretty darn quick.